Bomba's Spanish-Inspired Rooftop Bar Has Reopened After an Impressive Makeover

Joining Melbourne's recent burst of rooftop bar reveals this winter is Lonsdale Street Spanish haunt Bomba, with its revamped upper level. Reopening last week after a hefty three-month makeover, the space now boasts a fresh fitout, a gin-inflected drinks list and a standout new Spanish jaffle.

The rooftop is sporting an all-weather retractable roof and a second terrace space. The space, refitted by Ola Architecture Studio, is complete with a central copper bar, lots of high tables and a projector screening 70s Spanish flicks onto the building opposite.

The reimagined drinks list shows lots of love for gin, featuring a careful selection of Australian and Spanish distilleries and a gin-centric lineup of house cocktails — like the Dewy Dilligence, crafted on dill gin, fino sherry, beetroot and apple cordial, and lemon. You'll also spy Central Victoria's Animus Gin starring in a few of those signature sips.

A bigger, eight-strong tap list throws its weight behind indie Melbourne breweries, while the wine selection's focused both on organic and small Aussie producers, and lesser-known Spanish gems, brought in by the owners' Armada Imports.

There's also a range of tap cocktails, including a classic sangria and a spiced wintery blend of Melbourne Moonshine Apple Pie, brandy and pear, dubbed All Things Nice.

Meanwhile, the food situation leans to the snacky, featuring a tapas menu of old favourites and new creations, a covetable selection of Spanish cheeses, and the soon-to-be-legendary 'bikini' — a Catalan riff on the toastie, stuffed with fillings like jamón ibérico and truffle, or smoked ham hock, mahón cheese and mozzarella.